This year's United Way/Maine Share 26 Days of Giving fundraising campaign aims to raise $100,000 from current and retired Bowdoin employees, topping last year's fundraising efforts, which totaled $81,602. The fundraising campaign, which kicked off on October 1, occurs in workplaces around the Midcoast region.
Dean of Student Affairs Tim Foster, who is the senior officer of the campaign, said that while this year's goal is lofty, it is important for the College to set an example of staff giving as a leader in the Midcoast region.
"This year's goals of $100,000 and 50 percent contribution rates are big stretches, but I believe we can do it," Foster wrote in an e-mail to the Orient. "In fact, we should do it. We are the third largest workplace campaign in the Mid Coast region behind LL Bean and Bath Iron Works and the Midcoast region relies on Bowdoin's leadership."
The campaign provides a convenient way for Bowdoin employees to donate to local organizations. Employees have the choice to either designate their money for specific organizations or allow United Way and Maine Share to give the money to the organization with the greatest need. In addition, college employees can also allocate a certain amount of money from their paychecks to go directly toward the fundraising campaign.
According to Director of the Community Service Resource Center Susie Dorn, the campaign simplifies charitable giving.
"It's a way in which to make giving happen. It's easy to give," she said.
For the first time in the campaign's history at Bowdoin, students were involved in the fundraising event. Although they will not contribute directly to the campaign, student volunteers became involved by collaborating with local non-profits to raise awareness about community issues.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 12 local agencies that receive United Way or Maine Share funding were in Smith Union to discuss their mission and work in the community. Bowdoin students who volunteer with these organizations were also on hand to talk about available service opportunities.
Senior Alison Spencer, who coordinated the tabling effort, said that having the organizations on campus allows potential donors to connect with local agencies that receive United Way or Maine Share funding.
"Donating money is something that many people shy away from, feeling as though the organizations asking for support have no real connection to their lives," Spencer said in an e-mail to the Orient.
"Yet having the organizations here, and having individuals present to answer questions, grounds the campaign, opening people's eyes to the fact that these organizations don't just serve others," she added. "Giving to a cause becomes much easier when individuals feel such a connection to the local organization."
In addition, while on campus, the organizations have had the opportunity to make connections with each other. Tedford Housing Treasurer Tinker Hannaford said that it was a chance for networking and communication with other local non-profits.
"I think it is good for Tedford Housing as an organization to meet with others who volunteer in the community and see how we can work together," Hannaford said.
Foster considers it another way for students to learn about community issues and service opportunities.
"We talk to students about civic engagement and responsibility and this is another way to educate students about how they can make a difference in their community," he said. "And this is their community. Students live here and most register to vote here."